Key Takeaways

• New CBS News boss Bari Weiss booked Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on 60 Minutes.
• The episode also features artist Amy Sherald and Justice Department whistle-blower Erez Reuveni.
• President Trump could lash out again, after suing 60 Minutes over an edited video.
• Weiss’s hands-on style marks a shift for the network’s leadership approach.
• Viewers will watch closely to see how the show handles politics and controversy.

60 Minutes Faces an Early Test for Bari Weiss

Bari Weiss took charge at CBS News this year. Almost at once, she booked two big guests on 60 Minutes. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have backed Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan. Lesley Stahl will interview them. Meanwhile, the episode includes a profile of artist Amy Sherald. She once withdrew from a museum over fears of censoring a transgender Statue of Liberty painting. Lastly, a Justice Department whistle-blower adds more drama.

This line-up comes after Trump sued 60 Minutes. He claimed the show edited a Kamala Harris video to deceive viewers. Now, a new boss stands at the helm of the program. Her website, The Free Press, got snapped up by Paramount. Weiss has run a scrappy start-up. As such, she is used to pitching in on every detail. That hands-on mindset might be a surprise at a big network.

It is rare for network chiefs to book guests themselves. Yet Weiss did just that. She chose both Kushner and Witkoff personally. In doing so, she set a bold tone. She signaled she plans to shake up routines. Now, an awkward showdown looms. First, the show airs stories admired by Trump allies. Next, it highlights an artist who feared his reaction. Finally, it exposes potential government overreach in migrant cases.

Inside 60 Minutes Episode: From Peace Plans to Trans Art

This Sunday’s show starts with a familiar face: Jared Kushner. He will explain his vision for peace in the Middle East. Then, real estate tycoon Steve Witkoff joins him. Both men helped push Trump’s plan. Viewers will expect clear answers on progress and challenges. The segment should also reveal why these leaders back that peace deal. So, it may set the tone for debate on U.S. foreign policy.

After that, the show shifts gears. Amy Sherald takes center stage. She once created a painting of the Statue of Liberty with transgender colors. The National Portrait Gallery planned to display it. Yet Sherald pulled it, fearing it might get censored. She believed the Trump administration could quiet critics. As a result, the segment explores art, identity and free speech. It asks: can art spark real change?

Finally, 60 Minutes will air a fresh interview with Erez Reuveni. He worked at the Justice Department. He now says the administration ignored judges and migrants’ rights. His claims add tension to a show already wrestling with politics and protest. If viewers hear that story, they might question how the law handles human rights.

A Hands-On Editor Steps In

Bari Weiss comes from an online start-up world. Her site had only a few dozen staffers. Yet she grew it fast. Paramount paid around $150 million for her platform. Now, she oversees one of TV’s most respected shows. Clearly, she brings a scrappy spirit to CBS News. She jumped into the guest-booking process. That rarely happens with network chiefs.

By calling the shots on this episode, Weiss made a statement. She wants to mix hard news with bold profiles. She also seems to push back on old guard norms. Television leaders usually stay behind the scenes. However, Weiss took the reins. That move could give the show new energy. Yet it also risks mixing lines between management and journalism.

Potential Clash with Trump

President Trump watches 60 Minutes. He reacted angrily after the network edited his words on a Kamala Harris clip. He sued 60 Minutes for deceptive editing. His feud with the show grew on social media. Now, he might see this episode as a test. Kushner and Witkoff could feel safe. But the profile of Sherald might bug the former president. So could the whistle-blower story.

If Trump complains again, Weiss faces her first real crisis. Should she defend her team or make changes? Her start-up days taught her to fight. Yet a major network has different stakes. Sponsors, viewers and politics all hang in the balance. For now, Weiss seems ready to go toe-to-toe. She booked these guests with full knowledge of risk.

What This Means for CBS News

This Sunday’s 60 Minutes episode matters in many ways. It shows the network’s direction under Weiss. It blends politics, art and legal drama in one program. It also tests whether a major news show can handle its own boss’s bold moves. If the broadcast wins praise, Weiss will earn credit. If it draws harsh criticism, she might rethink her tactics.

Moreover, the show could shape public debate. Middle East peace remains a hot topic. Transgender rights are in the spotlight nationwide. Migrant due process faces fresh scrutiny at the Justice Department. By covering all three, 60 Minutes aims to stay at the center of national conversations.

Viewers, critics and Trump alike will watch closely. The episode could set a new tone for the network. If it succeeds, it might encourage more hands-on leadership. If it falters, CBS News could roll back changes. One thing seems clear: Bari Weiss is ready for a fight.

FAQs

Why did Bari Weiss book her own guests on 60 Minutes?
She prefers a hands-on approach from her start-up days. Booking guests directly lets her shape the show’s tone and content.

FAQs

What topics will the 60 Minutes episode cover?

The episode includes an interview with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff about a Middle East peace plan. It also profiles artist Amy Sherald and features a Justice Department whistle-blower.

How might President Trump react to the show?

Trump has clashed with 60 Minutes before. He might criticize segments he views as unfair or offensive, especially the transgender art profile and whistle-blower interview.

Could CBS News change its format after this episode?

If the broadcast succeeds, it may stick with a more direct leadership style. If it draws heavy criticism, network bosses might revert to traditional practices.